June 24, 2009

The narrow sea separates Westeros and the lands to the east. In the north of the sea lies the icy island of Ibben and in the south the hot Summer Isles. The lands to the east of the narrow sea are mostly consolidated into a large eastern continent of unknown name. Being roughly the size of Eurasia, this continent's geography and climate vary greatly. The western coastline is characterized by green rolling hills, the massive Forest of Qohor, and extensive island chains such as Braavos and Lys. The middle of the continent is covered by the flat grasslands of the Dothraki Sea and the arid wastes known as the Red Lands to the east. Beyond the Red Lands, the city of Qarth sits beside the straits that lead to the Jade Sea. The south is dominated by dry rolling hills and has a Mediterranean climate, with a coastline along the Summer Sea and Slaver's Bay.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Daenerys Targaryen

DC: Evanna LynchHBO: ?

Daenerys Targaryen, also known as Daenerys Stormborn, and called Dany, is the the daughter of King Aerys II and his wife Rhaella. When she was born her father had already been killed and her mother had had to flee to Dragonstone. When Rhaella died giving birth to her, the exiled Targaryen family consisted only of his older brother Viserys and herself. At the beginning of A Game of Thrones, Daenerys is thirteen years old. She is living with Viserys in Pentos, mostly at the sufference of Magister Illyrio Mopatis. Viserys has managed to get her engaged to Khal Drogo, a mighty Dothraki chieftain. She is described as having silver-blonde hair and purple eyes.

Viserys Targaryen

DC: Peter FacinelliHBO: ?

At the beginning of A Game of Thrones, Viserys and Daenerys are living in Pentos, at the sufferance of Magister Illyrio Mopatis. Viserys has gotten Daenerys engaged to marry Khal Drogo of the Dothraki, in exchange for help in regaining his throne. He is about 21 years old at the beginning of the series and is described as having silver-blonde hair and a hard, gaunt face.

Illyerio Mopatis

DC: Jeffery JonesHBO: ?

Illyrio Mopatis is a wealthy and powerful Magister in the Free City of Pentos. He is a dealer in spices, gemstones, dragonbone, and other things. He is morbidly obese, with yellow hair and a forked beard. For a time he served as custodian of the exile Targaryens and now seeks to return them to the Iron Throne.

Khal Drogo

DC: Louie LeonardoHBO: ?

Khal Drogo was a rich and powerful Dothraki horselord (or khal). His khalasar had forty thousand warriors in addition to their women, children, and slaves. He married Daenerys Targaryen, promising to invade Westeros for her. Drogo's skin is the color of copper, his hair and eyes are black, and he is very tall and graceful. He has a long, drooping mustache and wears his hair in a braid that came to his thighs, hung with tiny bells. His long braid has never been cut, signifying that he has never lost a fight.

Sir Jorah Mormont

DC: Elias KoteasHBO: ?

Ser Jorah Mormont is an exiled knight who was once the head of House Mormont and lord of Bear Island. He fled Westeros to escape execution for trading in slaves, and entered the service of the last Targaryens. He becomes one of the most trusted companions of Daenerys Targaryen. Jorah is middled-aged and balding, but still strong and fit. He is very hairy and not particularly handsome.

Strong Belwas

DC: Ving RhamesHBO: ?

Strong Belwas is a fat eunuch in the service of Magister Illyrio. Despite his bulk, he is a formidable warrior, having lived his life as a slave in the fighting pits of Mereen. He wears no armor except a tiny leather jerkin that covers a small part of his chest. His body is festooned with scars due to his claimed custom of allowing enemies to cut him once before he kills them. Thus, each scar represents a kill. His weapon of choice is the curved arakh of the Dothraki. Belwas is a passionate gourmand, the only vice he has left as a eunuch. He is particularly fond of liver and onions. Though very friendly, he speaks only bluntly and directly, shouting his needs to the empty air if nobody is listening to him. He refers to himself in the third person.

Arsten Whitebeard/Barristan Selmy

DC: Scott GlennHBO: ?

Ser Barristan Selmy, called "the Bold", is a celebrated hero of the Kingsguard, coming from a time when the Kingsguards were considered to be the greatest knights of the realm. He killed Maelys the Monstrous in single combat in the War of the Ninepenny Kings, ending the Blackfyre line. Though he fought bravely for the Targaryens during the rebellion which overthrew them, in particular at the Battle of the Trident where he was seriously wounded, Barristan later took Robert Baratheon's pardon and became the Lord Commander of Robert's Kingsguard. Vigorous despite his age, near sixty at the beginning of A Game of Thrones, Barristan remains a remarkably capable fighter.
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